Okay, let me get this straight - the economy is cooling off. The government is forced to cut expenses because its tax revenues are down. The inflation is high. The industry is barely developed. Officials urge citizens to save money.

And then, there’s the Defence Ministry that plans to spend Ls 2,000 on each horse?

Get real, Alyosha—without a cavalry, how do we retake Abrene?

/P

Aleksej,

I hope that you do not belabor under the impression that the Latvian Defense Ministry takes the matter of the Defense of the State with any semblance of seriousness or sincerity.  What reason does Latvia have to pay any attention to these matters?  Latvia has whored itself out to NATO.  For example, the entire air defense of Latvia depends upon the alertness of a handful of Polish pilots in Mig-29s based out of a backwater of our utterly inept southern neighbor Lithuania.  Given that oil is now at $135 a barrel and will probably top $200 per barrel within the first year of B. Hussein Obama’s Presidency, horses will likely be the most economical way of moving consumer goods about the country!

Economically, Latvia will be exploited by the EU in the guise of Germans and Scandinavians, as long as it is in their advantage to do so.  Once the situation with the formerly hibernating Russian Bear becomes untenable, the EU will abandon the Baltic States (and probably Poland, Czechs, et al.) with all due haste.  Please take note of who has hedged their monetary bet independent of the Euro, versus those who have been strong-armed into accepting that teufelsmark as their valūta.  Latvia will be at the bottom of the list when it comes to petro distribution when the troubles come.  Horses will prove their worth in this coming century, you mark my words.

Besides, the horsies have a place in Latvian history.  Ever go by Zemitāna stacija?  Ever wonder who this Zemitāns was?  A competent officer, whom fates favored.  After being the commanding officer of Latvian troops in larger Allied victory against Imperial Germans, he had the good sense to commandeer a white horse with which to ride into Rīga, heroically liberating the city.

Do not begrudge the Latvians a functioning horse cavalry.  It’s one of the few things Latvians can get right and are good at.

/R

A splendid idea, carried further by TP Deputats Dzintars Abikis, ironically or otherwise: 

“Ja tiks izveidota jātnieku rota, es rosināšu iegādāties piecvietīgu karieti, kuru vilktu četri zirgi, Saeimas prezidijam, lai tā pārstāvjus vizinātu valsts svētkos,” ironiski sacīja Ābiķis. Deputāts gan vēl cer, ka rota netiks veidota.

(LETA 23. maijs)

ak

Regardless of how good equestrians Latvians are, what kind of message do you think it sends in the time of economic storm, Roberts?

Aleksejs - 23 May 2008 08:41 AM

Regardless of how good equestrians Latvians are, what kind of message do you think it sends in the time of economic storm, Roberts?

‘tis a message of solidarity for the peasants of the agro sector—an economic stimulus package to benefit Equine-inclined entrepreneurs in the industry of animal husbandry.

/R